Taking a look at California Rodeo history at the heritage museum

From the “Wild West Show” to “Big Week”–the California Rodeo has gone through a number of names as it has grown in Salinas for over 100 years.

Much of that history is preserved and under the roof of the California Heritage Rodeo Museum.

“We’ve got saddles, you’ve probably seen the original saddle from Jesse Stahl a famous bareback rider,” says Daryl Whitcher, a former California Rodeo president in 2014.

The centerpiece for the museum is a giant stagecoach dating all the way back to when the rodeo grounds was 100 acres in 1875.

This being around the same time Eugene Sherwood and Richard Hellman deemed Salinas good enough to host its own rodeo.

“We’re kinda busting at the seams right now,” Whitcher says. “It’s really evident when we try to park vehicles for our big events here on the grounds.”

Rodeo Logistics Director Jerry Bunker says the event has grown to the point where it takes a crew of about 35 people just to set a perimeter and get all the event’s activities fit for riders and attendees.

Once all is said and done and all the set-up work has to be torn down and improved on for the next California Rodeo season, names like Montie Montana become enshrined in the rodeo’s historical museum.

The shirts, buckles, costumes and all sorts of other items from the riders are also on display.

Not to mention some items showcasing the California Rodeo Queens.

Past rodeo presidents are also given their due, including Daryl Whitcher.

“The presidents all have had the honor to lead this organization and to lead our community and this really is a community event. Salinas has a rich and long history of supporting the rodeo.”